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Prosecutor quits after heading up Roh probe
Source: Agencies |
June 5, 2009, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SOUTH Korea's chief prosecutor quit yesterday after leading an investigation into former President Roh Moo-hyun that was widely criticized after Roh committed suicide last month.
Roh's death has underscored the deep political divisions in the country's young democracy and has become a lightning rod for criticism of his conservative successor, Lee Myung-bak, who has tried to undo much of the liberal leader's policies.
"We understand his resignation has been accepted by the (presidential) Blue House," a prosecution official said.
Analysts said the political fallout from Roh's death and rising support for his liberal opponents could delay for months legislation Lee had planned to boost Asia's fourth-largest economy through tax cuts, pensions reform and privatization.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a Blue House official as saying Lee will formally accept the resignation this morning.
Polls showed the popularity of Lee and his Grand National Party both falling sharply after Roh's death, which could hurt them ahead of a tough month of parliamentary sessions when they hoped to pass reforms on labor laws and media-ownership regulations.
A survey by the public opinion firm Realmeter showed that 24 percent of respondents said they supported the GNP, behind the opposition Democratic Party's 28 percent.
This marked the first time Lee's party has fallen behind since he took office in February last year.
Nearly two-thirds of the respondents said Lee should apologize for pushing too hard with the probe on Roh.
Roh left office about 15 months ago with polls showing most South Koreans saw him as an ineffective leader.
He was being investigated on suspicion his family received US$6 million in bribes from a shoe company executive.
Roh jumped to his death on May 23 from a cliff near his rural home.
Roh's death has underscored the deep political divisions in the country's young democracy and has become a lightning rod for criticism of his conservative successor, Lee Myung-bak, who has tried to undo much of the liberal leader's policies.
"We understand his resignation has been accepted by the (presidential) Blue House," a prosecution official said.
Analysts said the political fallout from Roh's death and rising support for his liberal opponents could delay for months legislation Lee had planned to boost Asia's fourth-largest economy through tax cuts, pensions reform and privatization.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a Blue House official as saying Lee will formally accept the resignation this morning.
Polls showed the popularity of Lee and his Grand National Party both falling sharply after Roh's death, which could hurt them ahead of a tough month of parliamentary sessions when they hoped to pass reforms on labor laws and media-ownership regulations.
A survey by the public opinion firm Realmeter showed that 24 percent of respondents said they supported the GNP, behind the opposition Democratic Party's 28 percent.
This marked the first time Lee's party has fallen behind since he took office in February last year.
Nearly two-thirds of the respondents said Lee should apologize for pushing too hard with the probe on Roh.
Roh left office about 15 months ago with polls showing most South Koreans saw him as an ineffective leader.
He was being investigated on suspicion his family received US$6 million in bribes from a shoe company executive.
Roh jumped to his death on May 23 from a cliff near his rural home.
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